Africa's False Dilemma

Ecological and economic welfare are two sides of the same coin and having to choose between developing economies and societies on one hand, and protecting the environment on the other, is a false dilemma. This false dilemma is often used by private companies to dismiss civil society and local communities, mislead policy makers, and then carry on with questionable practices.

Let me explain. Sub-Saharan Africa has been the scene of a huge land grab in recent years, with overseas governments and businesses buying up or securing long-term leases on large tracts of land. Some of the deals are straightforward acquisitions but many are contentious to say the least.

According to a number of the agribusiness corporations that are investing heavily in developing vast palm oil plantations throughout Central and Western Africa their primary aim is bringing much-needed revenue to local economies, providing jobs and improving the lives of the people living there. Don't let yourselves be fooled by this seemingly altruistic discourse: we rarely hear any mention of the millions to be made in trying to satisfy the unquenchable global thirst for palm oil. Could this be the real motivation?

These seeds are ready for the press. The fruit itself is turned into "Palm oil," while the nut is used for "Kernel oil." This is the local variety grown by smallholders. (Copyright Jan-Joseph Stok / Greenpeace)

A perfect illustration of this false dilemma is Herakles Farms' rhetoric in relation to their latest project in Cameroon. Clearing of forest has recently begun; but this forest is important because it provides a key corridor between five protected areas including the iconic Korup National Park. This concession sits within the Guinean forested region of western Africa, which has been identified as one of the 25 most important biodiversity hotspots on earth, and is roughly 10 times the size of Manhattan, the island that is home to the headquarters of Herakles Farms.

The forests of Cameroon store huge amounts of carbon, critical to maintaining the global climate and preventing huge emissions of CO2, but they are also essential for local communities. These forests provide a home and income for thousands of people through cocoa farming and other commodities including palm oil production.

More than 70 percent of land in sub-Saharan Africa falls under the definition of customary domain. This means land that is formally state-owned but has been used by local communities, often for generations, although these customary users, such as those in Mundemba, Fabe and other areas of Cameroon affected by proposed developments, often have very limited rights.

The palm oil project in Cameroon has provoked fierce local opposition and division. Many local farmers Greenpeace spoke to in the villages falling under the concession area say that people have been forced off their land or that lines physically demarcating the concession area have been drawn on their land without prior notice. According to one lady from Fabe village who has been evicted from her farm:

"If the company takes all of the land then they will be the death of all of us. What will we live off? We will not have a livelihood. (...) Where will people do their farming? "

It seems incongruous that Herakles Farms claims it is trying to improve the lives of local people but then there is scarcely any consultation with those same people over what is to be done with the land they depend on for their livelihoods, nor any serious acknowledgment of the risks posed to local environments and the global climate.

Palm oil is used by Cameroon people as a basis for their food consumption. (Copyright Jan-Joseph Stok / Greenpeace)

As an African, I am used to questioning supposed solutions to poverty, especially when they are implemented without the collaboration of the people they are allegedly helping. As the head of Greenpeace, I can say that we encourage development, but do not support development that is not mindful of people and nature.

Please stay tuned for the earlier for Nov. 6th announced Question towards DOCTOR Naidoo, Anti-Apartheid-Activist from South Africa...it is not linked to elections in the USA and will be COMMENT NO. 1 of a new series...

:)

Sun Wu

PS:
posted April 14, 2012 at 19:36

Dear Doctor Naidoo,

I do love your evaluations of difficile political situations...if the world would have listened to you suggeting to cut defense-budgets by 100 Billion and give it to Africa we all would live in peace and harmony by now!

I would like to take the chance and make you personally (among others) responsible for the recent politic of Barak Obama!

Obama, winner of the Peace-Nobel-Prize, has not only talked during the first 2 years of his presidency, he had started to fight powerful enemies.

Unfortunately political reality, the world in 2008 (and Bush's heritage) were a mess, including the distribution of seats in American congress and senat did not allow him to change things in a way some voices like yours opposed!

During the first 2-3 years of his presidency many people turned away instead of backing up the Nobel-prize-winner who has the intelectual potential and personality to be a responsible politican.

I still remember all this crusading rhetoric of many (including your Tweeds and blogs) having blamed Obama for not changing the world via night.

The USA will vote soon. Having been betrayed by many companions political situation is not looking all that shiny for Obama by now.

Obama has to make political concessions (like in the past for congress and senat) in order to survive. Concessions which I am sure he hates most himself!

I strongly believe Barak Obama is the best option for American presidency. I pray to whoever the new president wont be Romney,

Greenpeace is a environmental organisation focusing on world wide issues such as global warming, deforestation, overfishing, commercial whaling and anti-nuclear issues.

There is a an incredible mass of environmental problems.

Please stop dragging Greenpeace down into politics by permanently falling into pure populism!

Please stop misusing Greenpeace as a stage for your career!

Fight Global warming and Deepwater-Drilling, it would be your job.

Leave the Near East (and USA) for others, please, our fragile earth, therefor Greenpeace, has enough other problems!

you guys really got me angry now by permanently intervening into my dramaturgic composition by deleting comments, comments which are 100% according to your stupid rules!

If not 100% then I would be a BAD writer.

As I said earlier I would like to ask DOCTOR Naidoo a question...for dramaturgic reasons and because I am pissed this question is being postponed and will be asked on DOCTOR Naidoo's next blog definately comming up soon.

Idiots....wherever you look. I do not have time forever to deal with this South African Hero...at a certain point we have to enter creativity!

Green Savior, ...please stop using Greenpeace as a stage for your career. You haven't got one here, and no one likes you for your pointless and h...

Green Savior, ...please stop using Greenpeace as a stage for your career. You haven't got one here, and no one likes you for your pointless and hurtful remarks. I'm surprised the moderators here put up with you as much as they have. And just so you know, I'm quite please Dr Naidoo has helped defeat our corporate enemy in this election. His words have been a significant contribution to millions of people, and has helped us win this election. His words have stopped certain aggressive off shore drilling and a cabinet of climate deniers. Why don't you say something helpful Green Savior, something positive, ...give support instead of staying up all night trying to come up with the most hurtful things you can think of. You're a really smart person, ...there's no doubt about that. So I'm asking you to be a team player, not an assassin, ...we could all use your help.

COMMENT NO.4 (just kidding, I am a funny guy, of course it is NO.2...according to DOCTOR Naidoo censoring the internet is very bad... you would never ...

COMMENT NO.4 (just kidding, I am a funny guy, of course it is NO.2...according to DOCTOR Naidoo censoring the internet is very bad... you would never do something bad like this, correct? :)

DOCTRO Naidoo,

I am sorry for your candidate didnt make it...but actually I am more than reliefed...

Of course, if religions will save the earth like you said earlier this year than Romney would have been first choice...just imagine a fundamental christian ruling a wounded superpower...lovely picture, don't you think so?

By the way, what is the BP-campaign doing?

Just to start building up dramaturgy again: you were born 1965, correct?

Green Savior, ...I ask for help and I get arrogance. ...and you are one of the best brains I have met? That's a matter of opinion. All I see is...

Green Savior, ...I ask for help and I get arrogance. ...and you are one of the best brains I have met? That's a matter of opinion. All I see is a profound ugliness to your rantings. But I'm not like you, I won't insult you, and no, no one has done anything crude to me, ...well other than you that is. Try to get a grip on your arrogance and find something constructive to do. Stop being an antagonist and have some human decency. How sad there is such emptiness, hate, and racism in your life. I truly feel sorry for you and your imagined big brain. Don't you see, all these things you say and do are only hurting you? I would help you if I could, ...and that's what I'm trying to do here, even though I know, and all the people you scorn at Greenpeace know, that you don't feel the same way about us. God help you to understand this Love you see before you.

p.s. no, it's not #2, and you are not a funny guy. Actually if you and your big brain can count, it's #10. You've posted ten times here ...

p.s. no, it's not #2, and you are not a funny guy. Actually if you and your big brain can count, it's #10. You've posted ten times here in this post alone. I don't speak for Greenpeace, but for my part, I vote they censor you if this keeps up. No Dr Naidoo doesn't believe in censorship, and neither do I, but neither do we believe in constant abuse of privilage.